Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for managing data, comprising: recording, by a buffer that is coupled to each of a plurality of memory devices, logical addresses for each portion of data received from a host by the buffer along with a data address indicating where each portion of the data is stored in the buffer; receiving a notification from a memory device of the plurality of memory devices at the buffer, wherein the notification indicates that the memory device is ready to receive data from the buffer, and wherein the notification further indicates a next available address entry that includes a physical address of a next available location in the memory device; locating a portion of the data in the buffer by matching the next available address entry in the notification with a next available data address entry in the buffer that includes the data address indicating where in the buffer the portion of the data is located; receiving the located portion of the data at the memory device from the buffer in response to the ready status indicating that the memory is ready to receive the located portion of the data from the buffer; and writing the located portion of the data to the next available location in the memory device.
This invention relates to data management systems, specifically improving efficiency in data transfer between a host and multiple memory devices. The problem addressed is the latency and inefficiency in traditional systems where data is directly written to memory devices without optimized buffering and address management. The system includes a buffer coupled to multiple memory devices. The buffer records logical addresses for each data portion received from a host, along with a data address indicating where the portion is stored in the buffer. When a memory device is ready to receive data, it sends a notification to the buffer. This notification includes the device's ready status and a next available address entry, which specifies a physical address of the next available location in the memory device. The buffer then locates a matching portion of data by comparing the memory device's next available address entry with the buffer's data address entries. Once a match is found, the buffer transfers the corresponding data portion to the memory device, which writes it to the specified location. This method ensures efficient data placement by aligning buffer and memory device addresses, reducing latency and improving throughput in data storage operations. The system is particularly useful in high-performance storage applications where minimizing delays is critical.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method includes determining the next available address entry based on a wear strategy implemented on the memory device.
The invention relates to memory management in storage devices, specifically addressing wear leveling in non-volatile memory systems. Wear leveling is a technique used to extend the lifespan of memory devices by distributing write and erase operations evenly across memory blocks, preventing certain blocks from wearing out faster than others. The invention describes a method for determining the next available address entry in a memory device based on a wear strategy. This involves tracking the usage of memory blocks and selecting the least-used or most-underutilized blocks for new data storage to balance wear across the device. The method ensures that frequently accessed blocks do not degrade prematurely, thereby improving the overall durability and reliability of the memory system. The wear strategy may include algorithms that monitor block usage metrics, such as erase counts or write frequencies, and dynamically allocate new data to blocks with lower wear levels. This approach optimizes memory performance and longevity, particularly in flash memory and solid-state storage devices where wear leveling is critical. The invention enhances existing wear leveling techniques by providing a systematic way to determine the next address entry, ensuring efficient and balanced memory utilization.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the located portion of the data is allocated by the buffer in an order in which the notification was received by the buffer.
A system and method for managing data notifications in a buffer involves processing notifications of data availability, locating corresponding data portions, and allocating them in the buffer. The method ensures that data portions are allocated in the same order as their notifications were received by the buffer. This approach prevents out-of-order processing, which can lead to data inconsistencies or errors in applications requiring sequential data handling. The buffer receives notifications from one or more sources, each indicating the availability of a specific data portion. Upon receiving a notification, the system locates the corresponding data portion and allocates it in the buffer according to the order of notification receipt. This ordered allocation is critical for maintaining data integrity in systems where the sequence of data operations must match the sequence of notifications. The method may be applied in various domains, including real-time data processing, financial transactions, or any system where data must be processed in the exact order of notification. The buffer may be a hardware or software component, and the notifications may be generated by sensors, network devices, or other data sources. The system ensures that even if data portions arrive out of order, they are allocated in the correct sequence based on notification timing, preventing misalignment in downstream processing.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method includes recording, in a transaction table, the logical address and a physical address of the located portion of the data written to the next available location in the memory device.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically methods for managing data writes in memory devices. The problem addressed is efficiently tracking the physical storage locations of data written to a memory device, particularly in systems where data is written sequentially to available locations rather than at predetermined addresses. The method involves writing data to the next available location in a memory device, where the physical address of the storage location is not predetermined but dynamically assigned. To maintain a record of where data is stored, the method records both the logical address (the address used by the system to reference the data) and the physical address (the actual location in the memory device) in a transaction table. This allows the system to map logical addresses to their corresponding physical storage locations, enabling efficient data retrieval and management. The transaction table serves as a lookup mechanism, ensuring that the system can accurately locate data even when it is stored in non-sequential or dynamically assigned physical addresses. This approach is particularly useful in systems where memory devices have limited write cycles, such as flash memory, where wear leveling and efficient address management are critical. By maintaining a transaction table, the system can optimize storage operations, reduce wear on the memory device, and improve overall performance.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the method includes storing the transaction table in the buffer.
A system and method for managing transaction data in a database environment involves storing transaction records in a buffer before committing them to a persistent storage system. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently handling high-volume transaction processing while ensuring data integrity and minimizing latency. Transaction records are initially captured and organized into a transaction table, which includes fields for transaction identifiers, timestamps, and associated data. This table is then stored in a buffer, which acts as an intermediate memory layer to temporarily hold the transaction data before it is written to a more permanent storage medium. The buffer allows for rapid access and modification of transaction records, improving system performance by reducing the frequency of direct writes to slower storage devices. Additionally, the buffer may implement mechanisms to handle concurrent transactions, such as locking or versioning, to prevent data corruption. Once the transactions are validated or a predefined condition is met, the buffered data is flushed to the persistent storage, ensuring durability. This approach optimizes transaction processing by balancing speed and reliability, particularly in systems where real-time data consistency is critical.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the method includes storing a copy of the transaction table in each of the memory devices.
A system and method for distributed transaction processing in a computing environment with multiple memory devices addresses the challenge of maintaining data consistency and reliability across distributed storage nodes. The invention involves a transaction table that records pending transactions, ensuring atomicity and durability in a distributed system. Each memory device in the network stores a copy of this transaction table, enabling redundancy and fault tolerance. By replicating the transaction table across all memory devices, the system ensures that even if one device fails, the transaction data remains accessible and consistent. This replication mechanism enhances reliability and prevents data loss during system failures. The method also includes mechanisms for synchronizing updates to the transaction table across all devices, ensuring that all copies remain consistent. The invention is particularly useful in high-availability systems where data integrity and continuous operation are critical, such as financial systems, distributed databases, or cloud computing environments. The replication of the transaction table across all memory devices provides a robust solution for maintaining data consistency in distributed transaction processing.
7. A method for managing data, comprising: recording, by a buffer that is coupled to each of a plurality of memory devices, logical addresses for each portion of data received from a host by the buffer along with a data address indicating where each portion of the data is stored in the buffer; receiving a notification from a memory device of the plurality of memory devices at the buffer, wherein the notification indicates that the memory device is ready to receive data from the buffer, and wherein the notification further indicates a next available address entry that includes a physical address of a next available location in the memory device; selecting a particular portion of the data in the buffer in response to matching the next available address entry in the notification with a next available data address entry in the buffer that includes the data address indicating where in the buffer the particular portion of the data is located; sending the selected particular portion of the data from the buffer to the memory device; and writing the selected particular portion of the data to the memory device in the next available location.
This invention relates to data management in storage systems, specifically addressing the efficient transfer of data from a buffer to multiple memory devices. The problem solved is the coordination of data writes to memory devices with varying readiness states and available storage locations, ensuring optimal throughput and minimizing latency. The system includes a buffer coupled to multiple memory devices. The buffer records logical addresses for each data portion received from a host, along with data addresses indicating where each portion is stored in the buffer. When a memory device is ready to receive data, it sends a notification to the buffer. This notification includes a next available address entry, which specifies a physical address of the next available location in the memory device. The buffer matches this next available address entry with a corresponding data address entry in the buffer to identify a particular portion of data. The selected data portion is then sent from the buffer to the memory device and written to the next available location. This method ensures that data is transferred only when a memory device is ready and that the correct data is sent to the appropriate storage location, improving efficiency and reducing delays in data management operations.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the buffer allocating the particular portion of the data in an order in which the notification was received by the buffer.
A method for managing data in a buffer system involves allocating portions of data based on the order in which notifications are received. The buffer system processes data from multiple sources, where each source generates a notification indicating the availability of data. The buffer receives these notifications and allocates a particular portion of the data in the same order the notifications were received. This ensures that data is processed sequentially, preventing out-of-order handling. The buffer may also prioritize certain data sources or adjust allocation based on system conditions, such as memory availability or processing load. The method improves data consistency and reduces errors in systems where timely and ordered data processing is critical, such as real-time analytics, financial transactions, or network communications. By maintaining the order of notifications, the system ensures that data dependencies are respected, enhancing reliability and performance.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the method includes performing an error correction (ECC) operation on the data prior to receiving the data from the host by the buffer.
A method for data processing in a storage system involves performing error correction (ECC) operations on data before it is received by a buffer from a host. The system includes a host interface, a buffer, and a storage medium. The host interface receives data from a host, and the buffer temporarily stores the data before it is written to the storage medium. The ECC operation is applied to the data to detect and correct errors that may have occurred during transmission or processing. This ensures data integrity before the data is stored in the buffer. The method may also include additional steps such as validating the data, compressing the data, or encrypting the data before storage. The ECC operation helps maintain reliability in data storage by correcting errors early in the process, reducing the risk of corrupted data being stored in the buffer or the storage medium. The system may be part of a solid-state drive (SSD), a memory card, or another type of storage device. The ECC operation is performed using error correction algorithms such as Reed-Solomon, BCH, or LDPC codes, which are selected based on the error characteristics of the storage medium. The method ensures that data is accurately processed and stored, improving the overall reliability of the storage system.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the data is received from the host by the buffer in increments that are the size of a NAND page.
A method for managing data transfer between a host system and a non-volatile memory device, particularly a NAND flash memory, addresses inefficiencies in data handling during write operations. The method involves receiving data from the host system in increments corresponding to the size of a NAND page, which is the smallest unit of data that can be written to or read from the NAND memory. This approach optimizes data transfer by aligning the host's data transmission with the memory's native storage granularity, reducing overhead and improving performance. The method includes buffering the received data in a temporary storage area before transferring it to the NAND memory, ensuring that the data is properly formatted and aligned for efficient storage. The buffering step may involve error correction or other preprocessing to enhance data integrity. By synchronizing the data transfer size with the NAND page size, the method minimizes fragmentation and maximizes write efficiency, particularly in systems where the host may send data in varying sizes. This technique is useful in solid-state storage devices, such as SSDs, where efficient data handling is critical for performance and reliability.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein writing the selected particular portion of the data to the memory device includes writing the selected particular portion of the data in a NAND page increment.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically methods for efficiently writing data to memory devices, such as NAND flash memory. The problem addressed is the need to optimize write operations to improve performance and reliability in memory storage systems. Traditional methods often involve writing data in fixed increments, which can lead to inefficiencies, particularly when only a portion of a data block needs to be updated. The method involves selecting a particular portion of data to be written to a memory device, such as a NAND flash memory. The selected portion is then written in a NAND page increment, which is a fundamental unit of storage in NAND flash memory. This approach ensures that only the necessary portion of data is written, reducing unnecessary write operations and improving overall efficiency. The method may also include determining the size of the selected portion and aligning it with the NAND page boundaries to ensure proper storage. Additionally, the method may involve managing metadata associated with the data to maintain data integrity and consistency during the write operation. By writing data in NAND page increments, the method minimizes wear on the memory device and enhances its lifespan. This technique is particularly useful in systems where partial data updates are frequent, such as in solid-state drives (SSDs) and other flash-based storage devices.
12. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of memory devices coupled to a bus; and a buffer coupled to the plurality of memory devices by the bus and configured to: record logical addresses for each portion of data received from a host by the buffer along with a data address indicating where each portion of the data is stored in the buffer; receive a notification from a memory device of the plurality of memory devices, wherein the notification indicates that the memory device is ready to receive data from the buffer, and wherein the notification further indicates a next available address entry that includes a physical address of a next available location in the memory device; allocate a portion of the data in the buffer to the memory device in an order in which the notification is received by the buffer; and locate the allocated portion of the data in the buffer by matching the next available address entry in the notification with a next available data address entry in the buffer that includes the data address indicating where in the buffer the allocated portion of the data is located.
This invention relates to data management in memory systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently transferring data between a host and multiple memory devices. The apparatus includes a buffer connected to several memory devices via a bus. The buffer records logical addresses for each data portion received from the host, along with a data address indicating where the data is stored in the buffer. When a memory device signals readiness to receive data, it sends a notification to the buffer, specifying a next available physical address in the memory device. The buffer then allocates data to the memory device based on the order of received notifications. To locate the allocated data, the buffer matches the memory device's next available address entry with a corresponding data address entry in the buffer, ensuring accurate data placement. This system optimizes data transfer by dynamically coordinating between the buffer and memory devices, reducing latency and improving efficiency in memory operations.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the buffer is configured to send the located allocated portion of the data from the buffer to the next available location in the memory device.
This invention relates to data management systems, specifically addressing efficient data transfer and storage in memory devices. The problem being solved involves optimizing the allocation and movement of data within a buffer and memory device to improve performance and reduce latency. The apparatus includes a buffer that receives data and identifies an allocated portion of that data for transfer. The buffer is configured to locate the next available location in a memory device and send the allocated data portion to that location. This ensures that data is efficiently routed to the next available storage space, minimizing delays and improving system responsiveness. The buffer may also include mechanisms to track data allocation and availability, ensuring that data is correctly placed in the memory device without conflicts or errors. The system may further include additional components to manage data flow, such as controllers or processors, which coordinate the transfer process. The overall design aims to enhance data handling efficiency in memory-intensive applications, such as high-speed computing or real-time data processing systems.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the buffer is configured to store the logical address and a physical address of the allocated portion of the data sent to the memory device in a transaction table in the buffer.
This invention relates to memory management systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently tracking data transactions between a host system and a memory device. The apparatus includes a buffer that stores transaction data to improve data retrieval and management. The buffer is configured to record both the logical address assigned by the host system and the corresponding physical address where the data is stored in the memory device. This information is maintained in a transaction table within the buffer, allowing the system to quickly map logical addresses to physical storage locations. The transaction table enables efficient data access, reduces latency, and simplifies memory management by providing a direct reference between logical and physical addresses. The buffer may also include additional features, such as error detection or data validation, to ensure the integrity of stored transactions. This approach enhances system performance by minimizing the overhead associated with address translation and improving the reliability of data storage operations. The invention is particularly useful in high-performance computing environments where rapid and accurate data access is critical.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein a copy of the transaction table is periodically stored in each memory device of the plurality of memory devices and the copy of the transaction table stored in each memory device is sent to the buffer upon powering up the apparatus.
This invention relates to a distributed data storage system designed to enhance data reliability and availability in environments where power interruptions or hardware failures may occur. The system includes multiple memory devices that collectively store transaction data, ensuring redundancy and fault tolerance. A key feature is the periodic creation and storage of a copy of a transaction table in each memory device. This transaction table records data transactions, and its periodic copying ensures that each memory device maintains an up-to-date backup. When the system powers up after an interruption, each memory device sends its stored copy of the transaction table to a buffer, allowing the system to reconstruct the latest state of transactions. This mechanism prevents data loss and ensures consistency across the distributed storage system. The invention is particularly useful in applications requiring high availability, such as financial systems, databases, or mission-critical computing environments where uninterrupted data access is essential. The periodic copying and buffer synchronization process minimizes downtime and maintains data integrity even in the event of partial system failures.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the buffer is configured to receive the data from a host and write the data in the buffer.
This invention relates to data storage systems, specifically apparatuses for managing data transfer between a host system and a storage device. The problem addressed is efficient data handling in storage systems, particularly ensuring reliable and timely data transfer while minimizing latency and resource overhead. The apparatus includes a buffer configured to receive data from a host system and write the data into the buffer. The buffer acts as an intermediary storage to temporarily hold data before it is processed or transferred to a storage medium. This design helps manage data flow, reducing the risk of data loss or corruption during transfer. The buffer may also include mechanisms to validate or preprocess the data before storage, ensuring data integrity. The apparatus may further include a controller that manages the buffer operations, such as controlling read/write operations, monitoring buffer capacity, and coordinating data transfer between the host and the storage medium. The controller ensures that data is efficiently stored and retrieved, optimizing system performance. Additionally, the apparatus may support error detection and correction, ensuring reliable data storage. The buffer may be implemented using volatile or non-volatile memory, depending on the application requirements. For example, a volatile buffer may be used for temporary storage in high-speed operations, while a non-volatile buffer may be used for persistent storage in critical applications. The apparatus may also include interfaces for connecting to the host system and the storage medium, facilitating seamless data transfer. Overall, this invention provides a robust solution for data management in storage systems, improving efficiency, reliability, and performance in data handling operat
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November 26, 2019
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